Pope Francis has paid tribute to his "dearest" predecessor Benedict XVI, who died earlier today at the age of 95.
"With emotion we remember a person so noble, so kind," he said at a New Year's Eve service in St Peter's Basilica, offering thanks "for all the good he has done" and underlining "his sacrifices offered for the good of the church".
"We feel in our heart such gratitude, gratitude to God for having gifted him to the church and the world," he said.